Culture shock rating

Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.

Low

Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.

Medium

Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.

High

You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.

Low

Physicality

Physical rating

Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.

Low

Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.

Medium

Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.

High

Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.

Low

TOUR SNAPSHOT

“”

Lillian was great.

Ms. Julie G., USA - 06 Jun 2016

Lily was an excellent guide, knowledgeable, friendly and with an obvious passion for Cusco and Peru's history. I loved getting snacks from the market and then eating them on the hill above Sacsayhuamán. I totally recommend this tour with Lily. Best tour I have been on in Peru!

Ms. Jodi F., Australia - 04 Nov 2014

Tour snapshot

On this day tour you'll visit key Incan highlights to experience Cusco at the grassroots level. Start at the vibrant San Pedro local market, then head out of town to explore the mysterious Temple of the Moon. Enjoy a picnic surrounded by amazing landscapes before returning to Cusco by foot, learning about the city’s Inca history and culture along the way.

Highlights

Mingle with locals at San Pedro market and practice your Spanish as you bargain for snacks.

Visit the mysterious Temple of the Moon with its curious carvings

Enjoy breathtaking views over Cusco.

Explore Cusco's charming streets and learn the legends of the Inca Empire

Tack on a tour of the amazing Qorikancha temple (optional)

Language: English

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, public transportation, small picnic.

Exclusions: Extra food and drink, tips or gratuities for your guide.

Schedule details

Duration: 3-4 hours

Meeting point:

Central fountain of Plaza Regocijo (one block from main square).

NOTE: Due to Peruvian tax regulations, you must bring your original passport and Andean immigration card on the tour. If you don’t, you will be charged a tax of USD 10.

Kick off your historical Cusco tour with a visit to the San Pedro market, one of the highest marketplaces on the planet. Talk about starting the morning on top of the world!

Learn about the market’s history as you explore rows of local produce, colourful fabrics, flower vendors, shaman stalls, and loud juice makers in the company of your English-speaking guide. There is the opportunity to try out a few local words as you purchase snacks for later in the day. Be ready for some entertaining local interaction!

Leave the unforgettable smells and flavours of the Cusco market and walk to the main Plaza of Cusco, the Plaza de Armas, where we depart by public transportation to explore the Temple of the Moon, located on the outskirts of Cusco.

This impressive and mysterious temple is a hill with two caves inside of it. The caves contain altars, and cracks in the walls let in sunlight or, more significantly, moonlight that strikes the altars on certain nights. There are also mystery carvings in the caves and atop the hill — see if you can figure out the story they tell. You’ll also get to see the mind-boggling carvings of, well, no one knows! Maybe a woolly mammoth, maybe a mastodon — creatures that haven’t existed in these parts for over ten thousand years.

To finish the tour, we’ll walk back to Cusco, which will take us about half an hour. We’ll descend back to the city via Inca streets, learning about theories and legends of the Inca Empire along the way. We’ll meander through the bohemian area of San Blas before arriving at the Santo Domingo Convent and Qorikancha temple (optional visit), where your Cusco tour will come to a close.

Additional information

Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, public transportation, small picnic.

Exclusions: Extra food and drink, tips or gratuities for your guide.

Dress standard: Latin Americans can be very conscious of appearance so try to be casual but conservative in your dress. Outside of beach areas halter tops and very short shorts should not be worn.

Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.

Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point.
Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.

Additional Information: Please note that you must show your passport and immigration card to the guide before the tour starts; otherwise, you will be charged a fee of USD 10 as per Peru’s tax regulations.

Child Policy: Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.

Local contact

Traveller rating

Rating summary

Overall experience

Guide

Local learning

Responsible travel

Met expectations

Ms. Julie G. from USA travelled on 06 Jun 2016

Lillian was great.

Ms. Jodi F. from Australia travelled on 04 Nov 2014

Lily was an excellent guide, knowledgeable, friendly and with an obvious passion for Cusco and Peru's history. I loved getting snacks from the market and then eating them on the hill above Sacsayhuamán. I totally recommend this tour with Lily. Best tour I have been on in Peru!